David William Austin

David was predeceased by his Father Frederick, Mother Catherine, Sisters Rita, Mary, Eileen, Jane, and Helen. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Vera, Daughters Vicky (Greg) and Monica (Mark), Grandchildren Brent (Cassandra), Carolyn (Jonathon), Grant, Scott (Nabilah), great grandchildren Harper, Kinsley and Weston, his sisters Anne and Catherine, brother Jim and his many nieces and nephews. David will also be dearly missed by his Sister-in-law Sigrid, her husband Ken and their family.

Dad was born in Maidstone (rural Windsor). He was a man of deep faith who always put his family first. He quit school after Grade 9 to help support his family of 11, during the dirty thirties.

In 1947 Dad started working for Bell Canada, his lifetime employer. In 1956 he was working on the radio towers in Northwestern Ontario when he met the love of his life. Vera, was the chief operator in Vermillion Bay. After a whirlwind romance they were married a few months later in November of 1956. As newlyweds they lived in Sioux Lookout and Dryden, Ontario. Their 2 daughters were born in 1958 and 1960. A transfer took the family to Fort Frances for several years. In 1965 he was transferred to Hamilton.

Dad loved the time he spent in the north. When he retired in 1984 he and Mom would make the 2 day long drive to Mom’s birth home in Vermillion Bay for 3 months each summer. He loved to cut the grass on his riding tractor, fish, visit with friends and sit and have a drink at the picnic table with mom listening to the birds, looking at the lake and enjoying the beauty of nature. It truly was one of Dad’s most special places. Dad and Mom’s last year in Vermilion Bay was in 2013 when Dad was 89. (still driving!!).

Dad was a doting grandfather who loved to attend baseball and hockey games, ballet recitals, school graduations, birthdays and the many other special occasions celebrated by our family. He was an unwavering fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs…(he’d get mad, but never gave up hope) and the Toronto Blue Jays.

In 2015, Mom and Dad moved to Deerview Crossing Retirement Home on the memory living floor where they lived for 6 1/2yrs. While this wasn’t what Dad envisioned for his life, his enduring love for his wife was paramount. With his sharp mind and independent nature, he continued driving until age 97 when he decided it was time to give up his licence. Dad was a quiet, private and humble man who made impression on others with his sense of decency.

During his final week in hospital he said how he never realized so many people cared. We all cared Dad, your family and friends will miss you deeply, Godspeed you to heaven. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff on 5th floor Mary Grace Wing and 2 ALC at St. Josephs Hospital for their excellent and compassionate care. A special thank you to Maria, Dr. Boyle and Palliative Team at St. Joseph’s hospital and the staff (Victoria, Shelly, Erin and Andrea) and volunteers at Margaret’s Place Hospice. Family will receive friends at CRESMOUNT FUNERAL HOME, 322 Fennell Ave. E., on Friday, October 7th from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral Mass will take place at Sts. Peter & Paul Parish, 50 Brucedale Ave. E., on Saturday, October 8th at 10:30 a.m. Interment to follow in White Chapel Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The Good Shephard or Margaret’s Place Hospice. Online tributes and condolences may placed at www.cresmountfennellchapel.com